Thursday, February 7, 2008

idealist-realist

the struggle between idealism* and realism seems to have pervaded all areas of my life this week.

several conversations about the democratic primaries have been laden with references to these concepts. the unexpected effect, alas, is the bittersweet resurgence of the personal political aspirations i set aside to focus on a career in the performing arts. (note to self: establish residence in california in order to parlay entertainment industry experience into a senate seat or gubernatorial success.)

i have also been trying to balance idealism and realism when it comes to this opera career thing. on the one hand, one must apply a certain amount of optimistic disregard for the politics of the system in order to achieve any kind of success with one's ethics still in tact and without having been consumed by cynicism. on the other hand, a realistic grasp of the system, corruptions and all, is requisite in determining the intermediate steps between aspirations and their fulfillment.

whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of...wrong monologue. but not entirely off topic, huh? i'm feeling kind of overwhelmed and confused, but so long as i can stave off the incapacitating effects of woulda-coulda-shoulda, i am feeling energized and ready for change. i'm also fortunate enough to have a partner who is at this moment similarly energized and ready for change.

*i use 'idealism' in general/idiomatically rather than referencing the philosophical doctrine of idealism.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice.

I'd vote for you.

ZERD said...

Too true, schmoopy.