Alan;

Some people cannot distinguish themselves from his/her job. That is a serious and common problem in the United States. With the number of people that have been laid off, fired, downsized, right sized and otherwise eliminated from the workforce, it is all too common an occurrence.

In the United States 13% of the people with college degrees work in his/her chosen field. Imagine the frustration some of the remaining 87% may have?

Supporting my family is the priority for what I do at this stage of life. So I try a little harder to stay with the technological changes that often occur. I would rather play flamenco guitar – teaching, playing with dance companies and touring, which I did before we were married in 1965. When I retire in a few years I want to use my guitar to enjoy myself and make additional income if needed. Perhaps I will not have a computer in the house at that time!

When I told my wife that line about "not having a computer in the house when I retire", she just smiled. She knows me too well! :)

By the way, I am doing some serious Digital Audio Recording with a new Digital Audio Workstation I got for Christmas. I am adding digital Video Recording soon. Those two areas could be interesting as an area of employment. Another thing I have done recently is to create several Flamenco Guitar Handbooks for others to learn some of the things I have learned. I like to keep busy which is no problem for me! I also play flamenco guitar at events in San Jose and we have one coming up. :)

Tom


>Hi Thomas.
>
>Thanks. I figured most people would understand what I was saying. To assume that taking a job that pays the bills but that is not considered 'suitable' in terms of wage versus value, somehow invalidates ones principles is utter nonsense. As I tried to point out to Terry, principles are about how you treat other people. From his initial note, I'd say he has the terms 'principles' and 'pride' confused.
>
>Like I said to Tracy in a different thread, I made more money when I was a working in a reinsurance company. I had no problem switching careers for a 33% drop in salary (after spending almost $10,000, that I could ill afford, getting some re-education). While I wasn't forced into it in that particular instance, I know I would do it again if necessary - forced or not.
>
>Alan
>
>>>>So you would take non-Fox work to keep yourself from exploiting others? I'm not following your point...
>>>
>>>I can see that.
>>>
>>>Alan
>>
>>Alan;
>>
>>I have no problem with your message.
>>
>>I have a wife, son and daughter. For a number of years I worked as an electronics engineer. One day in 1990 16,000 people in my company were fired and I was one of them. We were having a recession and it hit Silicon Valley very hard. So I went into programming and the day I got my first paying job I told a close friend, “I am not going to get comfortable being a programmer and will immediately see what else to study for possible future employment”!
>>
>>Never get comfortable. If you do you will become complacent and obsolete. If you want to have marketable skills you have to have what someone wants to pay for. Stay awake and be light on your feet. Be ready for anything and accept what the world gives you with a smile and positive attitude. Life is a challenge and if you want to enjoy it you adapt.
>>
>>The name of the game is to survive. You cannot let your job be you. Too many people think they are his/her job. This is not healthy.
>>
>>Tom