turning point - ZEFRANK.COM

lapietra · 12-05-2005, 02:21 AM

This thread is dedicated to funkytuba.

Tell us about how you decided to do what it is you think you're doing with your life, even if you don't think you're being very successful at it. Sincerity will make for a better read, in my opinion.

I'll start. Everything I'm doing right now, despite appearances, is to hopefully eventually spend a substantial amount of my time performing classical music as a professional vocalist. I had some success in Los Angeles, had a number of small gigs, but got bogged down in financial garbage and emotional stuff. Now, here I am in San Francisco, a better place for it, and slowly getting back on track.

When did I decide to do this? I decided *for myself* not until I was in my late 20's; before then, I was doing things because other people told me I should, that I had a lot of talent and a beautiful voice; and, being the insecure person that I was, I lapped it up to boost my self-esteem, but didn't recognize what they were actually saying, that I had a responsibility to develop and bring what I had into the world. I vacillated between classical music and jazz, dabbled in composition, but I finally settled and became dedicated to classical music when I saw a video of Leontyne Price's final performance of "Aida". It was stupendous, but the thing that actually did it for me wasn't her performance, but the audience's reaction to it. They knew it was her farewell performance, and after the second aria, they gave her a standing ovation that lasted at least 10 minutes, during which she attempted to stay in character, but finally broke down in tears. The appreciation and love that was communicated in that ovation was overwhelming, and I thought, "If I could give that kind of happiness with my singing, that's what I want to do!"

I don't believe that I have a voice as beautiful as Price's, or am as great a musician - but I believe it's a worthy goal to attempt to develop what I do have to attempt to bring the kind of joy into the world that a beautiful voice and great musicianship can bring. It's certainly not the most popular path - it would probably be better if I was a rock musician - but I'm not good at that

So this is what I'm doing.

Your turn!

madasacutsnake · 12-05-2005, 04:02 AM

I did it to piss my parents off.

Now I'm pissed off.

Wine marketing is looking good.

Zeismyhero · 12-05-2005, 03:26 PM

I think I still want to write. Or do something with art.

So I'm making sure I read more. I'm writing some and saving my pennies so I can take another workshop class. As far as the art, I manage the corporate collection at my job as part of my "duties." I asked my boss if I could take a class that would teach me more about terminology and technique, so I could speak more articulately, but she says I can actually spend time with some curators she knows and they'll help me.

I don't know where this will lead. I just want to make a lasting, positive difference in the world.

TinaBina · 12-05-2005, 08:41 PM

I used to be a counselor for young kids, and got a job as a houseparent at an inner city boarding school in 1996. I was always urging my girls to "do what you love". I took them to FIT in NY for a field trip and realized (after being very unhappy in this position for some time) that I ought to take my own advice get back into art. (I had changed majors from art and got a BA Psych back in 1990).

I enrolled in art school. Some people criticized me -- "oh you'll be 28 when you get your BFA" (Well I was going to be 28 eventually, so why not be 28 AND being doing what I love?!) and I had a teacher tell me that students that work FT (I HAD to, since I had MEGA bills) usually never make it through the program. (I graduated that program in 2.5 years, WITH honors)... and here I am today as a graphic designer.

Serendipity had its hand in a couple turns and I went with it... I think being open and flexible to change helps. As well as nixing the naysayers and listening to yourself.

trisherina · 12-06-2005, 02:26 AM

Quote:

The Tale of the Man Who Was Too Lazy to Fail concerns a U.S. Navy cadet who manages to move up the ranks while avoiding any semblance of real work by applying himself wholeheartedly to the principle of "constructive laziness".

.

lapietra · 12-06-2005, 02:28 AM

^^^ I *love* this story! I read it a long time ago in a Reader's Digest...

12-05-2005, 02:21 AM	#1
lapietra half baked Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: just ducky Posts: 12,078	turning point This thread is dedicated to funkytuba. Tell us about how you decided to do what it is you think you're doing with your life, even if you don't think you're being very successful at it. Sincerity will make for a better read, in my opinion. I'll start. Everything I'm doing right now, despite appearances, is to hopefully eventually spend a substantial amount of my time performing classical music as a professional vocalist. I had some success in Los Angeles, had a number of small gigs, but got bogged down in financial garbage and emotional stuff. Now, here I am in San Francisco, a better place for it, and slowly getting back on track. When did I decide to do this? I decided for myself not until I was in my late 20's; before then, I was doing things because other people told me I should, that I had a lot of talent and a beautiful voice; and, being the insecure person that I was, I lapped it up to boost my self-esteem, but didn't recognize what they were actually saying, that I had a responsibility to develop and bring what I had into the world. I vacillated between classical music and jazz, dabbled in composition, but I finally settled and became dedicated to classical music when I saw a video of Leontyne Price's final performance of "Aida". It was stupendous, but the thing that actually did it for me wasn't her performance, but the audience's reaction to it. They knew it was her farewell performance, and after the second aria, they gave her a standing ovation that lasted at least 10 minutes, during which she attempted to stay in character, but finally broke down in tears. The appreciation and love that was communicated in that ovation was overwhelming, and I thought, "If I could give that kind of happiness with my singing, that's what I want to do!" I don't believe that I have a voice as beautiful as Price's, or am as great a musician - but I believe it's a worthy goal to attempt to develop what I do have to attempt to bring the kind of joy into the world that a beautiful voice and great musicianship can bring. It's certainly not the most popular path - it would probably be better if I was a rock musician - but I'm not good at that So this is what I'm doing. Your turn! __________________ “As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.” ~ Mel Brooks

12-05-2005, 04:02 AM	#2
madasacutsnake no more nice girl Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5,054	I did it to piss my parents off. Now I'm pissed off. Wine marketing is looking good. __________________ He really shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all.

12-05-2005, 08:41 PM	#4
TinaBina Mooooooooo Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Over here! Posts: 355	I used to be a counselor for young kids, and got a job as a houseparent at an inner city boarding school in 1996. I was always urging my girls to "do what you love". I took them to FIT in NY for a field trip and realized (after being very unhappy in this position for some time) that I ought to take my own advice get back into art. (I had changed majors from art and got a BA Psych back in 1990). I enrolled in art school. Some people criticized me -- "oh you'll be 28 when you get your BFA" (Well I was going to be 28 eventually, so why not be 28 AND being doing what I love?!) and I had a teacher tell me that students that work FT (I HAD to, since I had MEGA bills) usually never make it through the program. (I graduated that program in 2.5 years, WITH honors)... and here I am today as a graphic designer. Serendipity had its hand in a couple turns and I went with it... I think being open and flexible to change helps. As well as nixing the naysayers and listening to yourself. __________________ If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you, I came to live out loud. – Zola

12-06-2005, 02:28 AM	#6
lapietra half baked Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: just ducky Posts: 12,078	^^^ I love this story! I read it a long time ago in a Reader's Digest... __________________ “As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.” ~ Mel Brooks

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

12-05-2005, 03:26 PM	#3
Zeismyhero Happy just to dance w/you Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Standing right behind you... Posts: 353	I think I still want to write. Or do something with art. So I'm making sure I read more. I'm writing some and saving my pennies so I can take another workshop class. As far as the art, I manage the corporate collection at my job as part of my "duties." I asked my boss if I could take a class that would teach me more about terminology and technique, so I could speak more articulately, but she says I can actually spend time with some curators she knows and they'll help me. I don't know where this will lead. I just want to make a lasting, positive difference in the world.