Reginald Perrin - what would I rather be doing?

[downsouth]

Looking at the other thread so many of us are quite apologetic about the work we do. And maybe if not apologietic, longing for something else. I know I do.

It got me thinking to what would I really like to do in this life money permitting. For me it wouldn't be a multi million pound apartment/house in zone 1 and jet setting here and there. It would actually be to have a small organic farm - getting my hands dirty every day. As well as having livestock I'd have a small home brewery and vineyard making beer and wine (so I suppose I'd have to be quite far south to get a half decent grape harvest). Also if I were near the coast/river I'd own my own little boat (no fancy stuff) for trips away at the weekend. Bliss.

[atila the gooner]

I'd rather be working in my own second hand record/book store which would have an area for people to sit and relax, buy a decent coffee, listen to music, and read. Preferably in a leafy environ miles away from London (as a born and bred Londoner, I can say I'm heartily sick of this overpriced filthy s**thole)

[Jah Lush]

Full-time loafer.

[Keef]

What he said.

Also would love to run my own rehearsal/recording studio.

[Ladygooner]

Travelling the World

[Ant]

I'd rather be a photographer.

Or, yunno, one of the idle rich. But even then I'd probably still do lots of photography. Only if I was loaded I'd do daguerreotypes too.

[Brendan]

I would really love to be a writer and sub-editor for an online magazine about construction who does a bit of freelance writing and also acts as secretary to a body of construction industry representatives who lobby government.

Then I would be so bored I could spend ages on this forum everyday.

[barrymarshall]

a man after my own heart, Brendan

[reggie]

Downsouth

Are you talking to me?

Suburban Pirate...the voice of middle class angst

[downsouth]

Good to see you're back from the beach.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Driving a dog cart and being Miss Marple a la Rutherford

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I'm with downsouth, but you all know I want to run away and be a farmer already.

[boosboss]

Be a horseback riding trail leader in the beautiful redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains (again :()

[macroban]

There are lots of Reggie Perrin shops on Lordship Lane and Northcross Road.

[atila the gooner]

Are they all called GROT, and sell useless and shoddy goods? That would account for about 50% of the shops in Lordship Lane!!;-)

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

What about people who want to live a more natural life in the country, clubbing together to buy up some land like the people in Tinker's Bubble or other co-op farm/woodland communities?

[lozzyloz]

I like the idea but tbh I don't think I could handle it in this country's miserable damp climate. Perhaps somewhere hot with a warm sea might be a bit more alluring and take my mind of all the gadgets and home comforts I'd miss.

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

My mate in Canada keeps telling me I should go back there to live. It's a little farming town in the middle of nowhere, and I lived there as a kid. Amazing place. I'm thinking about it as an option for the nearish future if I can finally get a job and save some dough.

[Ultraconsultancy]

Downsouth - have you thought about getting an allotment? My parents [both growing up in the 40's in Scotland] always scrounged a bit of derelict land wherever we were in the world and grew most of our own food. It's shocking just how small a patch of land will support a family. My mum's dad was a great veg gardener [like a lot of lanark miners] and consequently i grew up eating food either straight out the ground or off the tree. You can't beat it; and I haven't even mentioned how good it is for the soul to take someone a bag of your own red onions instead of a bottle of red wine..

Atila I pretty much do what you suggest; it is great, the customers are always interesting, the money isn't fantastic, but you're doing well by doing good. Then the landlord, tfl, the banks, and the local authority come along and take it all away, and destroy your soul. Simply because they can...

Ultraconsultancy

[LostThePlot]

Ant Wrote:

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> I'd rather be a photographer.

So why not do it?

I worked for BT for 16 years until 2005, then left and did my photography. Earning about a quarter of what I was then, (Not mega bucks by any means!) but happy as Larry now. It is hard though, non of then Rankin cack, churning out same old same old day after day...

Sort out your market and get into it. Get know, get your work seen by as many people as you can. If you ever need inspiration and encouragement then go into a large WHSmiths and look at the magazine wall. Now count the magazine. Now, coult how many have a photo on the front.... Someone has to supply them!

Start now, and within 5 years you could be as poor and happy as me!

[downsouth]

Ultraconsultancy - I have put my name down for an allotment but I've been told there's a 3-6 year wait. They've apparently becoming all the rage and with the property market I got on too late!