I am starting to run into some old friends, and per usual, they are always displaced from the path I assumed they would travel. Its hard for anyone with any type of spark to follow a purely linear path to some idealized goal of self-fulfillment. I know a math-major from a major university, who straight-out of school decided to become a ski instructor in California; an art major who is now in real estate. The crappy economy is somewhat to blame, and the fact that enjoyable livings are still not all that common; neither are intellectually stimulating jobs. To sling the muck of modern life means many menial jobs with shitty benefits and global competition for those jobs; sellers of their labor are desperate and buyers of that labor are paranoid, and frequently antagonistic too, the idea of the low-lifes banding together like the abused hookers they are for strength and solidarity. Perhaps international unions are in order; why should only transnational corporations be allowed free travel across borders. How about the working man, however vague that concept is right now!



I go into this heated discussion, wondering how long liberal arts educations will continue to produce bright people with degrees that can't be employed in the economy? Obviously not every program can have the liquidity of an Engineering degree; education that prepares you to be a citizen, must first of all prepare you to be able to make a living. Who gives a shit about Art in a bread line?(probably more than we know).



I just turned 50; my time to start reevaluating all of my priorities, short and long-term, that still exist in my media fragmented, addiction addled mind. Times relentless nocturne has lulled my libido into hibernation; my willpower is looking toward death with a hope for positive anguish-maybe fear is a way to rekindle passion; why not pursue what I always wanted to do-be an artist?



I've turned that way, but like my friends above, I doubt straight passage-our lives follow the convolutions of our brains...