Passion Wasn't Enough - EX#1

Last night we tried going to a digital dubs event in Vidigal, that is known for a great vibe and awesome panoramic view of Leblon & Ipanema.

Vidigal is located west of Leblon, it lies on really steep hill.

When we got there they told us that the party wasn't going to happen, then turned out starting too late and we thought it was no longer worth it  pretty much left.

On the way up that intense hill, we met a friend of a friend, who had 2 other friends. When then stopped to get some beers and chat. I met this American guy. We began talking about this and than and the other... and eventually ended up on the topic of "what do you do". Now he does real estate, but his dream (desire/passion/interest) was to serve his country- he applied to the US Army for FOUR years and didn't get in!!

 (Yes, this post is going beyond the fact that I dislike the army. The brainwashing is beyond me! Especially in the idea of "defending freedom"!)

This guy wasn't out of shape. He didn't have a visible handicap. He genuinely wanted to be involved with the army and defend his country's "idea of freedom", yada yada. He spoke about it with such passion and while explaining why he got rejected from it for FOUR years, you could see the tears surfacing. He wrote to senators, to governors. He went through different recruiters. He did ALL HE COULD.

So yeh, it really moved me that this guy who REALLY wanted to do something that isn't uncommon like being a #1 Olympic diver or competitive swimmer, couldn't! There are millions of army jobs!
He sure didn't lack passion. Skills he'd acquire through training.
It was timing- the world and it's situations that kept him from being a qualified candidate to join. The USA wasn't looking for any more troops in 2009. They could pick and choose their next 'freedom defending victim' and he couldn't be one of them, despite his honest desire/passion/interest.

The Recurring Debate

As I prepare to make my next move (in life!), there is a recurring thought that is resurfacing like oil in water.

The debate is between the importance of SKILL and PASSION.

I'm reading books on it. I am discussing it. 

I accept that it has to be a balance between both, but because I can't figure out my own balance, I don't feel comfortable enough making a choice... in what to do.

This diagram depicts my issue in clarity.

My indecision lies in nothing overlapping.

Sometimes we tend to believe that one HAS to be passionate about their work and the skill will just emerge from it. 

Sometimes we tend to believe that passion derives from being really well skilled.

When I sit here believing I haven't got either, it's a decision that's filled with anxiety.

The Catch-Up Post

Carnaval came and went. It was awesome. It was what I expected it to be. Crazy musical fun of epic proportions. Just collective non-sense and alot of drinking. I wish I had written more about it then, because now the details are missing.

I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

You can say it was a "last minute decision" to buy the airplane ticket, but I did do my research. A few days before my flight, I read everything I could about it. I googled it. I studied maps. I decided to divide Buenos Aires in two, so travel time wouldn't be the focus of my day.
In comparison to Rio de Janeiro, it was a breeze to get around (except the Metro - Subte, that made NO sense), it was clean and I felt very safe!
The food: WOW, that juicy meat bro!! Chimichurri. Roquefort Empanadas... DAMN! Media-Luna Croissants!! ALFAJOR!! MMMMMmmmm!!
And... the affordable wine!!

As you can see, I kind of fell inlove with Argentina. Just by seeing BA, I kinda began to realize that Argentina has SO much to offer and for some reason it went under my radar. It has fun from desert to beach, to glaciers, to Iguacu Falls. I think more people should go there.

Coming back 'home' to Rio de Janeiro was a bit of a slight joke on arrival. It was 1AM and I had picked up my backpack and was exiting the airport to get a cab.There was a 400 person line up and no taxis! This was at Galeao International Airport, 3 months before the world arrives here for the Fifa World Cup. It dawned once again on me- some things in Brazil just DON'T work, it'll be so embarrassing!!