As retirement gets closer, I realize that my working life looks much more finite than it used to. Instead of computer science teaching and publication extending far out into the future in a rather indefinite way, it now has a stopping point. This is by my choice. I feel like it will be time for me to do other things with my life. My list of projects for retirement gets longer all the time!
On the other hand, I think about the career choices that I made, and I wonder what might have been if I had chosen other paths. Or, if I had 9 lives instead of just one, what would I do with the other 8? It's been fun to plan alternate lives, even if I don't get to do them.
Life #1. Stay in math instead of going into computer science. I discovered the joy of number theory in graduate school and almost wished I was earning my Ph.D. in math, with emphasis on number theory. Number theory is about integers, and it's a wide open field. Results in number theory are used a lot in computer chip design, so it's practical as well as fun.
Life #2. Instead of math or pure computer science, go into computer history. Another fascinating field. Maybe I can publish a little in this field before I retire, who knows. However, an entire career in that area would have been interesting.
Life#3. Sell real estate. I love real estate. I would be making a lot more money that I am now, that's for sure!
Life #4. Become a professional artist. I do plan on spending a lot of my retirement doing art, so this dream isn't totally lost.
Life #5. Write novels. I nearly made this choice, as I spent a lot of time writing when my son was a baby and I didn't work. I thought at the time it would be more fun to just continue that. But computers are fun, too, and I was tempted away to be a programmer again.
Life #6. Play the clarinet for the New York Philharmonic.
Lifes #7 Be a back-up singer for the Rolling Stones.
Life #8. Still working on this one.
How about you? Leave a comment about your 9 lives.
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