On Judging (Self) Quality

Someone at CONvergence asked me if I thought I was a good singer. Like writing, I really have *no* idea. I don’t feel that obsessing about what other people think about my work in any sphere is a sane idea. That’s a deep dark hole of no return because you cannot please everyone. What I shoot for is the Law of Averages. That bell curve of opinions is the way I deal with reviews because you’re always going to have a certain percentage who love/hate you. The middle, though? That’s where the excitement happens.

There’s a lot of professional musicians, artists, authors, etc. who I don’t think are “good.” The reverse is also true. Toss popularity into the mix and it gives me pause sometimes because there are folks who I feel should be riding high who are just coasting. You just never know what’s going to “hit.” So to speak. That’s not something I can control. When that bubble of mass market-ness bursts into the public at large, I wrap my mind around it to see why “X” is working, so I can learn from it. Not everything out there may be for me, but something out there may be for you.

So, what I do focus on, are my own quality standards which I achieve by experiencing joy in my work. It may not be the right answer, but it’s my way of dealing with a crazy world filled with instant judgement. That way, when I’m satisfied? I know I’ve done my absolute best. I can’t ask for anything more than that, really.

Embarrassingly enough, though, the question did make me realize a few things about how I used to let the bullies win. If I’m feeling brave, I might tell you about it later. Or not. :p

Mood: Allergy-ridden medicine head.

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Enough to make me stop drinking them.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: The post-con shuffle.

In My Ears: The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver by Elbow

Game Last Played: Ermm…

Movie Last Viewed: The Aristocats

Latest Artistic Project: A grey and aqua bracelet

Latest Release: “Don’t Ignore Your Dead” included in Don’t Read This Book for the Don’t Rest Your Head RPG