Incentive

I recently had the opportunity to see my twin brother graduate from college for the second time.  It turns out that the degrees we got from our previous college are hardly worth the paper the diplomas are printed on.  So, my brother decided to pursue his dream career in computer animation and went to SCAD (Savanna College of Art and Design).  SCAD, in case you didn't know, is one of the big wigs. They have REAL people in the industry teaching REAL techniques on REAL equipment and software for REAL problems and projects.  Students get hired into good positions regularly.  In fact, my brother has just earned an imdb page.  It's not up yet in case you were wondering.

I am, of course, quite proud of my brother for sticking with it and doing what he loves in spite of hardships.  And his career is only beginning.  In the years to come, I fully expect to see him in the credits of major films, perhaps as lead designer or animator, or perhaps as CEO of his own animation studio.  I think he could do it.

It made me think about my own life and what is happening in it.  Where am I going and am I going about it in the right way?  I don't have the answers.  I know I'm doing a good thing being a stay-at-home dad and pursuing my dream of being a writer.  But I could do better, at both.  During the commencement speeches, I realized that one of the things most of the successful people have in common is that they were single.  So my hardships in my career will definitely be different from theirs, as I am decidedly married and parenting.  I have more limited time and flexibility; I cannot travel the world on a whim, I don't have the money to start up a company, and I won't spend 14 hours a day perfecting my craft.  But I have support.  I feel that I've been a little lax in revising my book.  I have to redouble my efforts.  I need to learn how to act like a professional.

My brother wants to start on a new project in the next few weeks and is looking for ideas.  I plan on sending him a few.  Who knows?  I may end up with my own imdb page.  This could be an opportunity for both of us, and it is one I feel we need to explore.  But I will not abandon my book for work on this project.  I will simply need to organize my time better.