I find the thought of retirement at 25yrs a goal of mine. I currently have 20yrs under my belt. Now I will be only 53, and that may not be possible. But if the NYS legislature revamps our retirement requirements (which is currently on the table), I may be able to swing it. If I can, I’m outta there!! There are so many other things I’d rather be doing.

Now don’t misunderstand me, I am extremely grateful for this job…. It pays more than the work deserves, I get fantastic medical coverage and generous time off. I am able to get by with my bills and still be able to live in a decent apartment in the boros of NYC without too much consumer debt, which as anyone who’s ever lived here knows, is difficult.  But I’ve had enough. It’s a personal thing really. I know many people I work with that have no intention of retiring even when they reach age and time. They like coming to work. It gives them something to do everyday. They have no outside interests.

But as for me, I have many, many things I could do.  Writing for one. I’d love to make a living writing. It would be liberating to be able to not only do something I love, which I find little time for now, but to get paid doing it. I used to dream about being an artist with a studio that I’d go to everyday and create art for the world, who would then buy it at showings and commissions. It was something I dreamed of. But alas life got in the way of that one, and I didn’t take that leap when I was young enough to have no fear of the attempt. And I never thought I was good enough. Self criticism can be a killer.

But writing came a close second. I’ve dreamed of sitting in the middle of the hubbub of man’s/woman’s  struggle to earn a living and observe, writing about the world as it ran past me. I’d travel from city to city, with laptop, notebook, et al and write, write, write. I always wanted to have a regular column in the Village Voice. Ah dreams. But as I get older, I’ve been thinking about this, daydreaming, more and more. Perhaps my second half of life can be a new beginning. Maybe the Village Voice would consider my writings for a column, maybe. Dreams, dreams, dreams. NYS Legislature it’s all up to you!! Get me the hell outta there!!!