Saturday, January 30, 2010

Things that can't easily be explained, Pt. 2

Last year around this time, I wrote an entry entitled "Things that can't easily be explained". My friend Lydia had died unexpectedly in her sleep on January 29, and a few days later I received a letter from her which she'd written just days before she died. Lydia was an incredibly gifted artist, and she had recently learned of my own artistic endeavors. In her letter she wrote something like, Are you sure that with your artistic talent that you are in the right profession?

Flash forward to 2010:  Two weeks ago I was in Austria saying goodbye to my friends, among them my friend Brigitte who had encouraged my artistic endeavors with art supplies and a painting course. Brigitte herself learned only four years ago that she had awe-inspiring artistic talent. A few days after I said goodbye, Brigitte too died unexpectedly in the night.

Both of these women were a source of love and inspiration to so many people who all gathered this week to remember and celebrate their lives.

I don't know if I'm in the right profession, and I certainly don't know that I will ever have the artistic talents that Brigitte and Lydia had. I do know that I will probably get the chance to reevaluate my career path, because LSU in its infinite wisdom has decided to pink-slip all instructors effective January 2011.

So in addition to updating my resume and seeing if there's a paper or two I can send out for publication, in addition to preparing for my four (count 'em FOUR) Latin classes, I'll be scheduling some creative time this weekend.  Because you never know what the future holds...

P.S.  When I posted this to my Facebook page, the security words were "revalue" and "power".  Life is spooky sometimes!

2 comments:

LadyKate said...

Much love, Joey.

I'm sorry for your loss. I know you deeply love your friends, and I am glad you had such meaningful connection with these two women.

I believe in you.
Katie

Drew said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your losses. It's always hard to lose people your close to but it's hardest to lose the ones who inspired you.

I had heard about the pink slip thing at LSU but I didn't think it would affect you... I guess when I think of LSU, I automatically think of you. Good luck with everything!

P.S. I'm back in town for a good two weeks starting tomorrow. I would love to meet up and have tea! Let me know what is a good time for you!