Sticky Problems

Recently I bought a new laptop. Last year, at ISMIR, I found that most researchers put some stickers on the laptop’s lid. It seemed kind of cool and I planned to do the same for my new laptop. That’s why I purchased a vodoo chicken sticker, this one designed by the artist thewhaleman.

As soon as I got the sticker, I put it on the lid. AND FAILED. Sure, the sticker was on the lid, but so were three bubbles of air, big enough to annoy me. My frustration could not have been bigger. Again, I just am not cool enough to join the chosen few. Especially, because the chosen few would probably not give a shit. But that’s not me. I could hardly get over my failure … and decided that there would be no more stickers on my lid.

I had a déjà vu feeling: When I was younger, I was into drawing and painting. And for some period of time I really believed I could somehow be an artist. Sweet summer child. Of couse I’d never be an artist. I am just not like artists. They are another species altogether.

And I am also not like musicians. And actors. And writers.

Sometimes I wonder if the tribe I’d belong to actually exists. But then I remember the best rudel of the world. And see, I already joined and feel home.