Inspiration, Though an Unlikely Source

I have found a new idol. Eugene Hütz.

He's the frontman for a band called Gogol Bordello. He's from the Ukraine, and his Gypsy family evacuated following the Chernobyl disaster. He then emigrated slowly west through Europe, ending up eventually in New England. Then, in 1998, the band formed and began touring, collecting a hodgepodge of musicians from the world over. They're fantastically popular with critics and have appeared on many major talk shows. Their music is an eclectic blend of punk, East European folk, and latin rhythms. Parts of some of the songs are even in Romani, the Gypsy language!

My fascination is based less on Hütz' musical prowess (though he absolutely, undeniably rocks) than it is on his dedication to his culture, his robust self-education, and his refusal to adulterate his personality and style to fit popular taste. He simply is who he is, unapologetically and without reservation. I want that kind of confidence and joy in my own life.

Pa chiv tuka, Mr. Hütz.

Speechlessness

I'm not sure if anyone can relate, but sometimes I feel so warmly towards someone that I just want to say something wonderfully positive about them. I wish I could express the deep gratitude I feel for the people God has placed around me and the special role each of them plays in my life. I always end up just grinning like an idiot and giving them a hug or something.

I've been experiencing this a lot lately. It feels so good feelin' good again.

Decisions, Decisions

I just got into Burnet for Easter Break a few hours ago. Maria and I spent last night at her parent's high-rise apartment in Austin. It's a really incredible place, brand new and fantastically furnished. The view from the wall of windows in the living room? Unreal.

But now I'm feeling conflicted. I've had a comfortable upbringing; I didn't exactly get whatever I wanted, but we never had to wonder how we were going to make the next house payment. As such, I've come to desire a certain degree of luxury in my life. I would dearly love to be able to one day live in the type of place Maria's parents so graciously offered to my friends and me last night.

I love acting. Every moment I spend on stage, I feel closer to some divine truth, some great spirit of humanity. I'm happy when I'm acting. It's much more play than work. So how could I give that up to pursue medicine? "You can always do community theatre, Jeff!" Yeah, but it's not the same, and everyone knows it. Or at least I would always know it. Furthermore, recent developments regarding the future of medical care in the U.S. as well as changes in my personal life have robbed a career in medicine of much of its appeal. So I'm left to wonder if I'm willing to risk a long stint of poverty to pursue my dream career or if I'd be better off just settling for something mildly interesting, useful, and safe with a nice fat paycheck.

Decisions, decisions.