tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11519907.post114986334258403938..comments2023-08-14T04:50:20.566-04:00Comments on A Few Cents Off: Act IIHildahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06983832246471151350noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11519907.post-1150510132363830292006-06-16T22:08:00.000-04:002006-06-16T22:08:00.000-04:00Hi Hilda, thanks for pointing to the Renaissance S...Hi Hilda, thanks for pointing to the <I>Renaissance Souls</I> website. I've found the readings insightful.oceanskies79https://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11519907.post-1150127300398488652006-06-12T11:48:00.000-04:002006-06-12T11:48:00.000-04:00I am definitely at a lost in trying to figure out ...I am definitely at a lost in trying to figure out what I am the best in. I certainly love music more than anything else but I don't think it's what I'm best at. My fingers are a bit clumsy and I have a big issue with tension. For a long time I thought it was school stuff that I was best at. But this last semester at school made me think not. Maybe it's age or something but school felt like a struggle most of the time this year. It wasn't natural to me at all.<BR/><BR/>Someone recommend that I look into "Renaissance Souls" (http://www.togetunstuck.com/). They talk about how for some people it's unnatural to be forced into one track. Maybe I am like that. Maybe I was meant to be involved in many things. I feel weird about not being a master at anything but I must admit that I am happiest when I can do a bit of everything.<BR/><BR/>This past week I've been feeling that my best option is to find a job that I won't hate and to devote the bulk of my energy to non-career stuff. It just doesn't seem worth it to give up or curtail everything else for one thing. As long as I deem my job meaningful I shouldn't get depressed like back when I was in the cubicle. A job at a lab or at school should offer me opportunity to contribute to society and give back while leaving me time to pursue my main interest as best I can. <BR/><BR/>After that "concert" I played at yesterday I became more convinced than ever that it's important for me to get as good as I can at the oboe. Otherwise I will be stuck playing with subpar groups for the rest of my life and then I will go off the deep end. The only way I will be allowed to play in a decent group is if I get pretty good myself.<BR/><BR/>I am holding on to the medical dream because in my mind there are no suitable alternatives that will satisfy me the same way. If I could find something else I would be ok with letting it go.Hildahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06983832246471151350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11519907.post-1150072480193765982006-06-11T20:34:00.000-04:002006-06-11T20:34:00.000-04:00Heh. I'm sitting here thinking, "I'm so darn tired...Heh. I'm sitting here thinking, "I'm so darn tired of worrying about money!" <BR/><BR/>Being a "B" musician can sure be stressful. Especially for those of us who didn't get into the summer festival thing early enough. (I think I'm too old for anyone to hire me now ... sad, but true, nearing 50 means I don't get asked for certain things.) <BR/><BR/>Music brings tremendous joy. More than a person who isn't in the biz might understand. And it brings, of course, applause that one won't receive with a lot of professions. Of course it also brings low income and bad reviews. <BR/><BR/>So I dunno. Be sure and add all that into your equation!<BR/><BR/>But yeah, Hilda, getting into this biz later rather than earlier can make it more difficult. But these days I don't even recommend that my younger students consider music unless they know they'd simply die without it! It's just such a darn risk. While I was blessed by God, getting a symphony job early in my career (I was 18), I am absolutely certain I'd never land a job now. The competition is fierce, and the jobs are fewer. That's just a fact. <BR/><BR/>Sorry to sound so down about all of this. I suppose this isn't the best time of the year for me to even write about music (thus my lack of posts at my own blog, eh?). So if this post is simply too pathetic feel free to delete it (if you can do that sort of thing).Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16172401944836258683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11519907.post-1150031730339314242006-06-11T09:15:00.000-04:002006-06-11T09:15:00.000-04:00Making music often has the power to lift one's spi...Making music often has the power to lift one's spirits.<BR/><BR/>I have often ask myself where my heart lies in terms of my profession in this life, but I have yet been able to answer. I sometimes wonder, if the society isn't organised in such compartmentalised manner, maybe people could take up several kinds of different professions all at one time? And in your case, medicine and music?oceanskies79https://www.blogger.com/profile/15637499843542653266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11519907.post-1149944835309857582006-06-10T09:07:00.000-04:002006-06-10T09:07:00.000-04:00Wow, your 3rd and 4th paragraphs could have been w...Wow, your 3rd and 4th paragraphs could have been written by me! We have so much in common with regards to this music vs. science-career thing. Chiming in a little late here, but just thought I'd share my thoughts...<BR/><BR/>I sometimes ask myself the "whatifs" too, but I've managed to come up with a list of counterarguments that supports my current decision. One of them being the pressure that you talked about. <BR/><BR/>I think one thing to ask yourself is, what are you good at? I'm pretty convinced that I'm better at physics compared to the average future physicist, than at music compared to the average future musician (this is taking into account of potentials as well). <BR/><BR/>Practically speaking, you can always try out this medical school thing and if you decide it's not for you, switch later with no regrets. Or you can take some time off to pursue oboe full-time and see how it feels before committing to med school (one of my friends, facing the same decision with acting vs. law school, decided to do exactly that). Or you may find yourself 20 years into a medical career and suddenly decide that music is actually more important to you, and pick it up then (as blogger <A HREF="http://vissid-amore.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Adriane</A> is doing). Or, just become an MD with a hobby and a life. I find it hard to believe that any profession could have you working 24/7. I certainly know personally of many doctors who have successful families, and as Hilda mentioned, many who enjoys hobbies such as music as well.<BR/><BR/>Sorry this is long and rambly, but this is a bit of a can of worms for me ...xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07889525323156457592noreply@blogger.com