finding balance

Last couple weeks were a bit stressful. This happens to all of us I think. We have a deadline for something important and we just have to do. Whether we get talked into it, or we see a great opportunity, or we really want to do something, we agree to it.

In my case there was a great opportunity which I really could not say no to. I agreed to teach a 2 hour class about the system I built for my work. The students were researchers from outside our group. In the end it went really well and I received excellent feedback. I think it also did a lot to help promote my group and what we do.

But that evening I HAD to go clubbing. Almost 3 weeks without performing a DJ or going clubbing. Lucky for me there was a great party on Friday night at warehouse702, maybe my favorite club in Tokyo. An amazing party and so many of my friends were there.

But the thing that really surprised me was a conversation I had with one of my DJ friends. He is someone I really look up to. He is quite famous, has toured internationally, and has been a DJ for many years. I always assumed he was a full time, professional DJ. Well I found out he has a normal daytime job too.

I think the thing that really hammered this home was conversations I had with either students at my class or other DJs at the parties. I told the students I was a DJ, and I told the DJs I was a researcher/programmer. Everyone is always so surprised and thinks it is so cool. I am beginning to realize that it is maybe the combination which makes it cool.

So after such a positive experience at work and things maybe actually getting better, and realizing that maybe there are very few full time DJ/producers in Tokyo, maybe I really do need to keep my feet in both worlds. Maybe I don't need to completely abandon my scientist side and run away to my musical dream life.

Maybe it is just a matter of finding the right balance.