The Punjab Chemist -or- The Downward Spiral of Schooling
After last night's post-symphonic cavortings, I hired a cab to take me home. The driver, in his mid-fifties, had the most beautiful indian accent I have ever heard. After the initial "How was your evening, sir?", or the "half-assedly trying to make a tip" section of the ride, I asked how he enjoyed driving a cab. His response was "Not really, I would much rather be doing my research"
"Oh."
The man was... IS a chemist. A doctoral student, screwed over by academic laws that don't recognize his work of over a decade. The sadness in his voice. The bitterness towards life, towards being reduced to driving a cab, to taking drunken students home from parties... He mentioned that when he's on a university campus, he feels 'empty, hollow', and so just doesn't drive there.
Is this my fate? What is to be gained from a music degree? When I graduate, and hold that piece of paper in my hand... What's next?
Do I want to play in a symphony? Judging by all the politics that go on already... not really.
Do I want to be a soloist? Of course... But I know I don't have what it takes.
Do I want to teach? No.
I want to play jazz in sleazy dives. I want to travel. I want to sail. I want to be able to pay for my own meals, to pay my own rent, to drive my OWN car.
I think I speak with an indian accent.
"Oh."
The man was... IS a chemist. A doctoral student, screwed over by academic laws that don't recognize his work of over a decade. The sadness in his voice. The bitterness towards life, towards being reduced to driving a cab, to taking drunken students home from parties... He mentioned that when he's on a university campus, he feels 'empty, hollow', and so just doesn't drive there.
Is this my fate? What is to be gained from a music degree? When I graduate, and hold that piece of paper in my hand... What's next?
Do I want to play in a symphony? Judging by all the politics that go on already... not really.
Do I want to be a soloist? Of course... But I know I don't have what it takes.
Do I want to teach? No.
I want to play jazz in sleazy dives. I want to travel. I want to sail. I want to be able to pay for my own meals, to pay my own rent, to drive my OWN car.
I think I speak with an indian accent.
posted by Kahloke | 6:23 PM
3 Comments:
I guess it's good Trina and I took the first cab, then (thank you, by the way) since we might have depressed/been refused service by yours had we asked to be taken back to the university. Our driver was disgruntled and took the speed bumps on West Mall at 120 kph. Scary.
A music degree gives you a) a university degree (and in this day and age that's a good thing to have) and b) accreditation in the eyes of the public and your fellow musicians. Now, I know exactly what you would say about that, but when it comes to getting hired, you'd eat your words. So basically that leaves you with nothing for yourself except for a sense of security. It's worth the pain.
You have no idea how much we'd miss you if you left us.
that is sad...
it's true when they say you can't count on your degree to get you a job.
scary isnt it?
oh Llowyn...
I wish I could say that all you have to do is want it bad enough...because for me, that is enough. But I've never really noticed that it's different for other people, and not everyone is so positive that they will succeed...or even make a living.
How about this? The minute I have an extra fifty grand (after I purchase my duchessy) I'll open a shitty coffee shop and you'll be my Saturday night mainstage. It'll be a steady gig! How's that sound?
;) *hugs*
Post a Comment
<< Home