August 20

I like being Jeff Moran. I would rather not be anyone else.

But sometimes it seems like it would be good to be Joe Dart. The fact that he played bass in Vulfpeck would have been enough. But then on a casual perusal of his Instagram account (which I have to do on my phone since Insta doesn't allow people without Insta accounts to view posts on the computer), I noticed a video clip about some group called "The Olllam." I was intrigued. I love Celtic music, and have ever since falling in love with Punch Brothers about a decade ago. It turns out Joe is their bass player, or at least has been accompanying them on their albums and tours, though he may not be an official member of the group.

What a life that must be. It's hard not to think "wow, if that were me, I would be deliriously happy."

And why shouldn't I shoot for that in my own life? 

I have it pretty damn good. I just got about $71k from NSF to pursue an idea that I think is cool. That's pretty damn awesome. And I'm going to keep going. Why not use Joe as an inspiration to push myself further? 

Play bass in a Celtic band myself?

To record the Bach inventions on the upright + electric basses, as I'd wanted to before?

To study chaotic dynamical systems, like Steve Brunton?

Let me seek what I seek, as they sought what they sought.