Flex Year: Part 1 (Aug - Dec 2024)
- davidshapiro27
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
Hey everyone! Instead of going back to school in September as I have every year of my life thus far (minus the first few years), I began my Flex year.
The goal for the flex year was to create a flexible schedule that allows me to try new experiences I haven’t had the time or ability to pursue in the past. So here’s how I started that!
I needed some established ways of making money in a flexible way. The first job I got was a weekly math tutoring gig. I posted my advertisement online and soon after, found a high school student who needed help with calculus. I also worked with two siblings who had missed some weeks of school and needed help catching up. Since then, my math tutoring has morphed in physics tutoring and I gained a new client in December.
I also continued to make films. In September, I booked a gig making another documentary for Old Frog Pond Farm about their outdoor sculpture exhibit which is attached below:
At the start of the school year, I interviewed with vice principals about subbing in the Maynard school system. So far I’ve subbed twice as a preschool aid and four times in Kindergarten including running the class all by myself for an afternoon. I'm learning a lot from those experience like how to keep little kids engaged, how to manage challenging classroom situations, that I may be asked by a six-year-old to peel an orange that he put in his mouth and that when one kid wants to sharpen their pencil, they all will want to.
One bigger commitment I had this fall was as a vampire scarer at Witches Woods. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I’d dress up in a vampire costume, get my face painted and jump out at customers. My friend Skye also worked there and we had a fun time scaring people all October. I used to wonder who the people were who scare you in these haunted houses and in October, I not only met them, but became their coworker.
Another reason I wanted a flexible schedule was to pursue film acting opportunities. In September, I traveled to New York and joined the Central Casting agency and a month later returned for a paid background role on Law and Order Season 24, Episode 6. You can see that clip here. Look for me on the far left.
In December, I was hired to act in an online ad for a software company but that hasn't been released yet. The office we filmed in had all kinds of fun gadgets and I spent my time off scootering and ribstiking around the office, playing ping pong and trying out the company massage chair!
In addition to paid acting, I did pro bono acting. One project was a skit for a parody news youtube channel. My episode doesn't air until May but you can see me in this "Meet the Cast" video. I also got a lead role in a Boston University short film which was filmed in a phone store.
In November, after my last night serving as a vampire, I flew out to San Francisco and met my dad there. He was out west for a conference and then visited some friends in LA. I explored San Francisco with him and a family friend showed us around as well. We went to Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, the park, rode a driverless Waymo car, took the cablecar and visited the house from Mrs. Doubtfire among other things.Then we traveled north by train to visit Crater Lake in Oregon and afterwards drove to the Redwood Forest!
We took the train up to Portland and my dad flew home from there and I flew south to San Diego for my next adventure.
That adventure was WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) where you work on a farm and in exchange you are given free room and board. Basically, its a way to experience a new place, learn new skills and meet new people in an economical way. Unfortunely I got sick while I was there which made the expeirence harder but it was still an incredible time! To learn more about it, check out the video I made about it:
When I got home, I still wasn't all better so I went to the doctor but I didn't test positive for anything.
That weekend, I drove my mom, sister, aunt and grandmother to visit my grandmother's cousin in Westerly, Rhode Island. We had a lovely afternoon visiting.
The following Tuesday, I woke up feeling horrible. I got checked again. Whatever I had had become pnemonia. That was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so I spent my Thanskgiving in my room feeling sick but the anitbiotics did wonders and I got better soon after.
On an unrelated note, I finally got copies of my book I wrote in New Zealand, Kylo Kangaroo Tries Something New, printed so if you'd like one, fill out the form below. The books cost $10 + shipping.
In addition to all these activities listed above, I've made time for lots of fun with my friends and family! Here are some photos of activites during the fall!
So, that's all for now. I'm excited to see what comes next in the Flex Year!
Comments