Editor Erik assigned the Blog Staff to write about “Missed Opportunities.” Jake catalogues some of his “misses.”

By Jake Sonderman

Sometimes, you don’t realize you’ve missed something ‘til you’ve missed it. I try to take every opportunity that comes my way, but sometimes I let some slip. Here’s some opportunities that I let slip through the cracks.

Bret Michaels

This is the one that really stings. My band was playing Stagecoach (for like 30 people). A friend who somehow knew Bret Michaels (who was also playing at Stagecoach for like 20,000 people), somehow got him to invite us to play a song with him during his show. We were going to play “Nothing But a Good Time,” the finale. We were prepared, learned the song, went backstage, the whole thing. Something went wrong during the soundcheck, and they rescinded their offer. As consolation, he invited us up on stage with a bunch of other dudes. Still cool, but I frequently think what it would’ve been like to play for so many people. 

High School Musical

I really wish this wasn’t the first show I auditioned for. It was likely the only one I had a chance of getting cast for. In case you didn’t know, Disney+ came out with a High School Musical show. I auditioned for Big Red, and I dropped the ball a bit. I got a call back and auditioned on the Disney lot. I dropped the ball by forgetting a line, and once you forget one, it all comes falling apart. I’ve done many auditions since, and if I perhaps had some experience I would have practiced better and been cast. Maybe not. Who knows. 

Gamestop

This is an opportunity that many missed out on. I was, however, looking at Gamestop and Reddit a couple days before the insanity. I thought in my head, “People are talking about it, but why would people buy Gamestop stock when nobody buys physical games anymore?” I almost got in at $30 a share then $90 a share in a couple days. I missed out. But, hey, as Kyle says, “No one cares if you almost bought something.”

SAG

This is sort of double sided. I had a chance after I did an UberEats commercial to be a part of the Screen Actors Guild. It has a $3,000 initial fee and another $200 yearly fee, but it still would have been cool. I also would have had access to some very big auditions (but also would have had more competition). All in all, I don’t totally regret it, but it still would have been a cool thing to put on college apps. 

Piano

I know that there was no way I would keep doing piano after 4th grade, but I sure wish I did. Piano is definitely something with a steep learning curve. I wish I had kept with it, not just to be a good piano player, but so I had at least some coordination. Now, with any instrument, my biggest challenge is always coordination. And, it goes without saying, being a good piano player is very charming. 

These are some of my missed opportunities. We all have them. But, the past is in the past. Keep looking forward. (Need help looking forward? Check out Elizabeth’s post on “Regrets.”)

Missed Opportunities Editor: Erik Bearman