Last night we went to the 12th International Cape Town Jazz Festival, to see Youssou N'Dour perform. He sang Bob Marley's Redemption Song, propelling the crowd into bliss.
In my mind and my heart, Redemption Song is a sweet memory from the first time I came to Cape Town, 11 years ago. That time, I took the ride to Robben Island, to see the cell where Nelson Mandela spent a lifetime before peacefully pushing the apartheid government into extinction. The song was playing on the ferry on our way back, with the bluest sky ever hanging over Table Mountain--the sun light as clear as it can only be in the cape.
Seeing Youssou N'Dour last night was wonderful! Not only does he stand for everything I love in African music, but also for the spirit of Africa, the humility and the human dignity that is so unique to the continent. He is a bit older than I expected. He looks thinner than I thought he would. But he is larger than life.
domingo, 27 de marzo de 2011
sábado, 12 de marzo de 2011
Getting drunk with very young people...
...in rainy Seattle. This is not something that I would have foreseen. But it was a side effect of being called "the grooviest evaluator" by a class of students on their way out of college and into real life. And it was A LOT OF FUN.
Hanging out with kids that are making up their minds--at least sporadically--about what they want to do for the rest of their lives is compelling. They have the urge to find something meaningful, but the ease of knowing that life is just beginning. They are somehow troubled, but not yet too much, and believe that everything remains to be done, at the same time of being jittery about what the future will bring for each of them, individually.
This particular group, which worked as a Task Force for one of the research/advocacy projects of the PI, was deeply inspired by the work of gropus all over the world, working to hold their governments to account. They were passionate about budgets as a tool for advocacy, and passionate about making change happen. And even if only one of them takes this as a lasting input into what they want to do with their lives, it was worth it.
It also made me think about those people who have been an inspiration to me. Some are gone, many remain. And I have the privilege of working by their side, of building something together with them, and of learning from them. Strangely enough, I don't feel too far away from the Task Force kids--I am happy to say that I am still excited thinking about what life can bring and what changes might happen.
But, I should get drunk more often.
Hanging out with kids that are making up their minds--at least sporadically--about what they want to do for the rest of their lives is compelling. They have the urge to find something meaningful, but the ease of knowing that life is just beginning. They are somehow troubled, but not yet too much, and believe that everything remains to be done, at the same time of being jittery about what the future will bring for each of them, individually.
This particular group, which worked as a Task Force for one of the research/advocacy projects of the PI, was deeply inspired by the work of gropus all over the world, working to hold their governments to account. They were passionate about budgets as a tool for advocacy, and passionate about making change happen. And even if only one of them takes this as a lasting input into what they want to do with their lives, it was worth it.
It also made me think about those people who have been an inspiration to me. Some are gone, many remain. And I have the privilege of working by their side, of building something together with them, and of learning from them. Strangely enough, I don't feel too far away from the Task Force kids--I am happy to say that I am still excited thinking about what life can bring and what changes might happen.
But, I should get drunk more often.
martes, 1 de marzo de 2011
The urge to set impossible goals...
...has been a part of my life for many years. I just can't get enough. It seems that I have the quest of always overthrowing my last achievement, and reaching out for something even more challenging, crazier. Where others would take a step back and say 'wait a minute, I am not really sure if I want to get into this', I jump ahead.
Fearless. Thriving in excitement, swimming in adrenaline.
According to Dr. Brainscan, the key to my reckless behavior is the last word of the previous sentence. Adrenaline. While adrenaline is naturally produced in high-stress or physically exhilarating situations to improve our chances of survival, it also gives a depressed mind what it needs to keep running. To be adrenalized takes away the blues and makes your mind go into overdrive. It is addictive.
But there is something more besides the chemical addiction. We learn how to live and how to survive. We learn to stand at the edge. We gamble and we enjoy it. And this defines us as much as our addictions.
But, wait a minute... Is that REALLY different from the chemical addiction? Where does the circle end and where does it begin? Does it really matter?
Whatever.... Never mind. I love it, and I am riding high on a new challenge.
Fearless. Thriving in excitement, swimming in adrenaline.
According to Dr. Brainscan, the key to my reckless behavior is the last word of the previous sentence. Adrenaline. While adrenaline is naturally produced in high-stress or physically exhilarating situations to improve our chances of survival, it also gives a depressed mind what it needs to keep running. To be adrenalized takes away the blues and makes your mind go into overdrive. It is addictive.
But there is something more besides the chemical addiction. We learn how to live and how to survive. We learn to stand at the edge. We gamble and we enjoy it. And this defines us as much as our addictions.
But, wait a minute... Is that REALLY different from the chemical addiction? Where does the circle end and where does it begin? Does it really matter?
Whatever.... Never mind. I love it, and I am riding high on a new challenge.
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