What do I want to be when I grow up?

[pecunium]

This is time-filler (I've run out of previously written pieces, and have yet to sort out photos, so the Galapagos is behind).

The following list is from Career Cruising

Bold are things I've done. Italic is things I've considered. Strikout are things you can't pay me to do (well, maybe not that strong for all of them, but they aren't things in which I'm interested)

1.Anthropologist
2.Professor
3.Archaeologist
4.Historian
5.Foreign Language Instructor
6.ESL Teacher
7.Lobbyist
8.Electrician
9.Technical Writer (this is a sort of. I was hired to do some, but a month after I started the job was eliminated. Some of the things I write for the army might be seen as that, and I've done/am doing, some books on photography/editing software, so I could probably bold it)
10.Computer Trainer
11.Criminologist
12.Electrical Engineering Tech
13.Electronics Engineering Tech
14.Cabinetmaker
15.Sign Maker
16.Dental Lab Tech
17.Electronics Assembler
18.Director of Photography
19.Conservator
20.Makeup Artist
21.Chef
22.Office Machine Repairer
23.Tool and Die Maker
24.Machinist
25.Occupational Therapist
26.Optical / Ophthalmic Lab Technician
27.Hydrologist / Hydrogeologist
28.Cable Installer and Repairer
29.Activist
30.Corporate Trainer
31.Musical Instrument Builder and Repairer
32.Writer
33.Bicycle Mechanic
34.Public Policy Analyst (I used to do political writing for a paper... so it sort of counts as both)
35.Communications Specialist (WTF... this is vague, it might be something I've done, something I want to do, or something I wouldn't do for anything)
36.Print Journalist
37.Upholsterer
38.Critic
39.Picture Framer
40.Translator

Comments

[ltsk.livejournal.com]

I am stealing this to post on my own LJ as a kind of meme. My response will not be as interesting as yours as, being a tried-and-true member of Gen X, I have taken underachievement and lack of ambition and created a bland art form.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

I'danno.

My list is as interesting as it is not from some drive to do things, but rather from, what some would say is, a lack of focus.

I recall being in my teens and reading (IIRC) Ted Sturgeon's list of jobs and thinking, "Wow! here's someone who's done a lot."

Which was true. And I look at my life, and wonder... because it doesn't feel as though I've done a lot, but I've got as interesting, and varied, a resume as he did.

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.

TK

[ltsk.livejournal.com]

Yes, you actually have bold-face on your list. You've done something. Maybe not what you planned, but you've compiled a list of interesting and varying somethings.

Then there are people like me who sit on the side of the path and don't do anything. Complete lack of bold-face. We live vicariously through others by reading and hearing and watching what they've done. The world as television/internet. I can't decide if people like me are like this out of fear or laziness or both. Either way, our obits will be very, very short.

I've noticed many writers I admire have worked in a crazy number and variety of positions before and during their writing career. I wonder if this isn't some requirement to being a good writer.